Best News & Entertainment '24

Maryn Blignaut

Education: BA in Communication Science, University of South Africa (2012–2016), AFP Digital Investigation Techniques (GNI, 2023), Google News Initiative training (2024), Thomson Reuters Foundation AI Adoption Training and WAN-IFRA Women in News Programme (2025)

Experience: Briefly News (2017-present)

Awards: - Best Appealing Storytelling: Highest Average Pageviews, 2023 by Briefly News - Awarded the 2023 Gender Mainstreaming Award (Empowerment of Women in the Community) as part of the Briefly News team

Maryn Blignaut is the Editor-in-Chief at Briefly News, with nine years of experience in digital journalism. She holds a BA in Communication Science from the University of South Africa (2016) and specialises in digital storytelling and feature writing. She has completed advanced professional training in media and innovation, including the AFP Digital Investigation Techniques course, multiple Google News Initiative programmes, Thomson Reuters AI Adoption Training, and the WAN-IFRA Women in News leadership programme. For enquiries, contact maryn.blignaut@briefly.co.za

1172 articles published since 30 Oct 2017

Author's articles

Law graduate hits the street with placard and CV in search of job, photos go viral

Law graduate hits the street with placard and CV in search of job, photos go viral

People

4 years ago

Jaden Smith to open restaurant that will give free meals to homeless people

Jaden Smith to open restaurant that will give free meals to homeless people

Entertainment

4 years ago

SA born billionaire Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong giving Mzansi R3bn to produce vaccines

SA born billionaire Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong giving Mzansi R3bn to produce vaccines

People

4 years ago

Strength of a woman: Young mom vents about struggles with breastfeeding twins

Strength of a woman: Young mom vents about struggles with breastfeeding twins

World

4 years ago

Mathias Edor: Meet the 25-year-old doctor, author of 7 books & founder of a church

Mathias Edor: Meet the 25-year-old doctor, author of 7 books & founder of a church

World

4 years ago

Elizabeth Amoaa: Meet the lady who has 2 female reproductive organs

Elizabeth Amoaa: Meet the lady who has 2 female reproductive organs

People

4 years ago

TV Host Ellen DeGeneres to end her talk show after 19 seasons

TV Host Ellen DeGeneres to end her talk show after 19 seasons

World

4 years ago

The news comes several weeks after it was reported that Ellen lost exactly one million viewers despite having apologised following claims of toxic workplace.

Jennifer Lopez's ex A-Rod in disbelief over her alleged affair with Ben Affleck

Jennifer Lopez's ex A-Rod in disbelief over her alleged affair with Ben Affleck

World

4 years ago

Alex Rodriguez expressed shock after finding out that his ex-fiancee Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are getting back together after they were spotted together.

Courtney Rogers: Woman, 36, who's been married 10 years, given birth to 11 kids

Courtney Rogers: Woman, 36, who's been married 10 years, given birth to 11 kids

People

4 years ago

Thirty-six-year-old Courtney Rogers from Santa Fe County in New Mexico and her husband Chris have welcomed a new baby annually during their 10-year marriage.

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams gets engaged to co-actress' ex-hubby

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams gets engaged to co-actress' ex-hubby

World

4 years ago

Real Housewives of Atlanta actress Porsha Williams has gone public with her engagement to Simon Guobadia, who split from her fellow actress and friend Falynn.

Soldiers fly in the air with amazing tech jet suit, video goes viral

Soldiers fly in the air with amazing tech jet suit, video goes viral

People

4 years ago

A viral video of UK soldiers testing out a jet suit that allows them fly 12,000 in the air has stirred massive reactions on social media. Many praised the idea.

Young man finishes university with perfect scores, inspires many

Young man finishes university with perfect scores, inspires many

World

4 years ago

A young man's success in the university has motivated many on social media as people said that he must have really studied hard to come out with strong grades.

Proud man lets mom wear his graduation gown as he bags law degree

Proud man lets mom wear his graduation gown as he bags law degree

People

4 years ago

A young man has made his mother proud after bagging a law degree. The young man decided to wear his mother his graduation gown for sponsoring his education.

Zimbabwean football star who coached for SA, Butler Masango, passes away

Zimbabwean football star who coached for SA, Butler Masango, passes away

World

4 years ago

Another football legend dies after the passing of former Zimbabwe star Butler Masango. He was said to have battled with heart complications before his death.

Young man celebrates graduation at father's grave: "Thank you papa"

Young man celebrates graduation at father's grave: "Thank you papa"

People

4 years ago

Zambian Chama Kings Mwansa is set to graduate soon. Nothing would have been more prudent for him than going to his late father's grave to share the good news.

Maryn Blignaut